Tobacco.org

• Study: In 1991, tobacco companies saw war as a marketing opportunity 

A study published in July in the American Journal of Public Health looked at internal tobacco company documents to determine if marketing efforts were aimed at servicemembers during the Gulf War.

Researchers found tobacco companies saw the conflict as a commercial opportunity and targeted servicemembers with free cigarettes, direct advertising, phone cards and homecoming parties.

The military, which often viewed the tobacco companies as benefactors, restricted the activity at times but frequently allowed it, according to “Everywhere the Soldier will Be: Wartime Tobacco Promotion in the U.S.”

Tobacco companies began producing and shipping free cigarettes within the first month of the war.

One company sent 10,000 cartons via the Department of Defense and others were on deck with 42,000 before the DOD acknowledged the free cigarettes were against policy and blocked further shipments, according to the study’s two researchers, Elizabith Smith and Ruth Malone . . .

Barred from providing free cigarettes, tobacco companies turned to branded merchandise such as baseball caps and playing cards.

“RJ Reynolds noted that ‘troops in Saudi Arabia definitely know that Camel Joe is behind them’ as they had received ‘over 5,000 packs of Camel playing cards … [and] a variety of premium items including sunglasses, audio cassettes and cup cozies,’” the study said. . . .

Philip Morris executives said they were “keenly interested in capitalizing on the successful military operation” and “continuing the association we started last year with the troops.”

“Over forty locations now have welcome home signs in place featuring Marlboro brand identification,” a military sales manager said in June 1991, according to the study. The company also produced the largest homecoming event for Desert Storm at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and similar events in Germany featured “extensive signage for Marlboro,” the study said.

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NGOs unite to promote breast feeding, tobacco control, and safe water  

Corporate Accountability International (CAI) representative Tracy Hewat told on Thursday the World Health Assembly (WHO) that water, tobacco and food - are tied to development, and have an impact on achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's).

CAI is a coalition of 80,000 members and supporters around the world said in a statement issued.

"The global tobacco epidemic still claims more than five million lives each year. Full and effective implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is urgently needed. Preventing the spread of the tobacco epidemic to developing countries will not only save lives, but also promote strong economies," said Hewat.

FCTC Article 5.3 provides a framework for safeguarding against conflicts of interest between the private sector and public interest on a range of health issues - from access to safe ddrinking water to marketing of unhealthy foods to children.

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British American Tobacco joins forces with Kuwaiti Co-Ops to combat underage smoking (PDF) 

British American Tobacco joined forces with prominent cooperative societies to launch the Partners in Responsibility youth smoking prevention campaign in Kuwait. The campaign, which aims to raise awareness of laws that regulate underage smoking, was launched on the 4th of May 2008 in all outlets of Dasmah & Bnaid Al-Qar, Bayan, Al-Adeiliyyah, Kaifan and Al-Rawda & Hawally cooperative societies.

Bassem Bekdache, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for British American Tobacco in the GCC stated that “We hope that the Partners in Responsibility campaign will help increase awareness of the law. We take the matter of youth smoking prevention very seriously and are backing up words with actions. In addition to Kuwait, this campaign has also been rolled out in Bahrain and Qatar with more countries to follow by the end of 2008”

Dasmah & Bnaid Al-Qar CO-OP Society General Manager, Mohamed Ahmed Ashour, echoed the initiative’s objective “We are sending a message that we don’t sell cigarettes to under 21’s. It’s the Law”.

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AL-FUZAI: Smoking and obesity: Kuwait's norms? 

People in Kuwait become as fat as bears and heavy smokers because they are just one of the many frustrated and angry people who cannot believe the things he or she sees going on around them! .. .

Why are smokers given the best locations to sit and eat at? . . .

A recent European study confirmed that obesity and smoking were main factors that contributed toward early death. I know we've read about these things a million times, and it is likely that we know people who have died from smoking or causes related to obesity. Sometimes we wonder why they had to overeat or smoke anyway? Now is the right time for all of us to think over these two issues...

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28% of 13-15-year-old boys smoke; 14.3 pc of Kuwaiti girls 'puff' 

In Kuwait, the WHO Global Youth Tobacco Survey estimates that over a quarter (28%) of the male youth population - aged 13-15 years - smoke tobacco, compared to the much lower 14.3% of the female youth population who smoke. The Ministry of Health has been actively fighting the prevalence of smoking in the country through various initiatives designed to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and to discourage the habit.

George Wagih, spokesperson for the 'Nicorette' Nicotine Replacement Therapy range, says that "over 35 million smokers try to quit each year, yet less than 5% reach their one-year anniversary."

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• Underage smoking targeted 

British American Tobacco joined forces with prominent cooperative societies to launch the Partners in Responsibility youth smoking prevention campaign in Kuwait. The campaign, which aims to raise awareness of laws that regulate underage smoking, was launched on the 4th of May 2008 in all outlets of Dasmah and Bnaid Al-Gar, Bayan, Al-Adeliyiyyah, Kaifan and Al-Rawda and Hawally cooperative societies. Bassem Bekdache, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for British American Tobacco in the GCC stated that "We hope that the Partners in Responsibility campaign will help increase awareness of the law. We take the matter of youth smoking prevention very seriously and are backing up words with actions. In addition to Kuwait, this campaign has also been rolled out in Bahrain and Qatar with more countries to follow by the end of 2008."

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AL-SHARIKH: Good girls don't smoke  

I do not support conventional wisdom and I do not believe that one should follow the footsteps of our elders blindly. I am a big believer in change as an engine of development and progress, but smoking for Kuwaiti women is neither the former nor the latter. It is just a bad, stinky, unhealthy, and unattractive habit. If a Kuwaiti woman is cursed with being unable to quit smoking, she is not promoting women's liberation or equality; she is just making herself look bad. What is it all for? That light buzz from the slow breathing? The chance to mimic those forties Hollywood sirens puffing smoke in the air? It is just not worth it.

Women's health is infinitely more important than the temporary joy of smoking. I may not be one for traditions, but the idea that smoking makes a young lady look bad is one tradition we should most definitely uphold.

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• Philip Morris hosts party for media 

Philip Morris Kuwait Company WLL hosted a Suhoor Party for the local media on Thursday. Hamad Al-Asfour, Manager Corporate Affairs welcomed visitors for a sumptuous Suhoor meal held at Atlantis Restaurant at Marina Hotel. Representatives from Philip Morris Middle East attended the event including Dubai based George Nassif, the director corporate affairs Middle East and Ruwaida Abu Ajram, communication manager.

"We invited you here to spend this Suhoor party with us because we treasures our friendship with all the newspapers here in Kuwait and we hope for more productive years to come. We thank you for coming and I hope you will enjoy our small token of gratitude," said Al-Asfour on the occasion.

The Suhoor party discourages minors from attending since the company was promoting tobacco products not suited for children.

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EDITORIAL: Prohibit smoking in public places 

What we are demanding is to apply what is being practiced in civilised countries by disallowing smoking in public places, while imposing stiff penalties on violators, because prohibition is a protection for the human beings. It is also an enhancement of health care especially in the protection of children or youth from this epidemic. So, who will ring the bell and take effective positive steps towards prohibiting smoking in public places.

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Second hand smoking, pets triggers asthma - Dr Terkait 

Asthma and diabetics consultant for children in Al-Sabah Hospital Dr Nada Al-Terkait advised asthma patients to avoid second hand smoking and pets such as dogs, birds, sheep and cats since they are regarded as triggers.

Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of a seminar on the latest development in asthma treatment, Al-Terkait stressed on the importance of vaccination to all children [This graph only]

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• British American Tobacco major sponsors in the first Corporate Social Responsibility Conference in Kuwait 

British American Tobacco announced its sponsorship and participation in the first conference to be held in Kuwait on the social responsibilities of companies and corporations organized by the Multaqa Media Group in cooperation with TRACCS Public Relations Network between 4th and 5th of December 2004, supported by the United Nations Development Program. . . .

Projects in Kuwait and MENA Eric Jones pointed out that BAT has executed over the last few years a number of joint projects with a number of entities to confirm and deepen the concept of social responsibility. A prominent project carried out recently by the Company involved a program with the Kuwaiti Teachers' Association that included a huge campaign against juvenile smoking. The campaign was a great success and is expected to resume in the future.

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Of school students, 28.8 percent have tried smoking at least once -- study 

Nov 30 -- A local study has shown that of school students between the ages of 13 and 15, 28.8 percent have tried smoking at least once.

Member of the Ministry of Health's smoking combat committee Dr. Hamdia Al-Fadhli told KUNA that 37.6 percent of male school students and 17.6 percent of the females have tried smoking according to a study conducted by the committee's bureau of tobacco and health in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Anti-smoking campaign in Faiha 

An anti-smoking awareness campaign has held a series of seminars from June 27 to 30. The programme had the slogan "For a more pure life" and was organised by the Public Authority for Youth and Sports at the Faiha Youth Centre.

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Interior ministry bans smoking in all its buildings, offices   

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of    Interior Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued an order Tuesday    banning smoking in all buildings and administrative offices of the ministry.

A press release said that the ministerial order came in accordance with the    Cabinet of Ministers' decree and law number 15 for 1995 on combating smoking.

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Ministry to strictly implement 'No Smoking Law' 

In a bid to reactivate the Council of Ministers' decision on banning smoking, the Health Ministry will strictly implement the "No Smoking Law" from next month, Al-Qabas quoted a reliable source as saying. The source said Health Minister Dr Mohammad Al-Jarallah recently briefed the Council of Ministers on the procedures of the law and the penalties which will be imposed on employees, especially doctors and other employees of the medical sector, who violate the law.

"One month salary will be deducted from employees who are found smoking at medical clinics or hospital wards," he said

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